Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
95ZAGREB3082
1995-08-12 15:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
BIHAC SIEGE LIFTED, ATTENTION TURNING TO ASSISTANCE NEEDS, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, NEXT MILITARY MOVES
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 04 ZAGREB 03082
SIPDIS
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ZAGREB 003082
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: 8/12/00
TAGS:
SUBJECT: BIHAC SIEGE LIFTED, ATTENTION TURNING TO
ASSISTANCE NEEDS, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, NEXT
MILITARY MOVES
-------
SUMMARY
-------
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 04 ZAGREB 03082
SIPDIS
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ZAGREB 003082
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: 8/12/00
TAGS:
SUBJECT: BIHAC SIEGE LIFTED, ATTENTION TURNING TO
ASSISTANCE NEEDS, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, NEXT
MILITARY MOVES
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) POLOFFS, REFCOORD, AND DART VISITED BIHAC AUGUST
11 TO ASSESS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND DISCUSS
POLITICAL/MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WAKE OF THE GOC
OFFENSIVE TO RETAKE "RSK" TERRITORY. UN OFFICIALS
COMPLAINED ABOUT THE INADEQUACY OF UN SAFE AREA POLICY
WHICH ONLY PROTECTS BIHAC TOWN, WHILE THE ENTIRE POCKET IS
IN RANGE OF SERB GUNS. THEY DISCUSSED THE REFUGEE AND
DISPLACED PERSON PROBLEM; CURRENTLY THERE ARE ABOUT 40,000
DP'S IN THE BIHAC POCKET, AND PROBABLY BETWEEN 15-20,000
REFUGEES LOYAL TO FIKRET ABDIC (AND POSSIBLY ALSO
INCLUDING "RSK" SERBS) ON THE ROAD NEAR THE VILLAGE OF
KRSTINJA IN CROATIA. THE UN ASSESSES THAT A FULLY ARMED V
CORPS WILL BE ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAIN IN ONE TO TWO WEEKS
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 03082 01 OF 04 121603Z
TO SECURE THE ENTIRE UNA-SANSKI CANTON. MEANWHILE, LOCAL
OFFICIALS PROVIDED US WITH A SHOPPING LIST OF REQUIREMENTS
FOR REBUILDING LIFE IN THE CANTON AND DISCUSSED THE GOOD
RELATIONS BETWEEN MUSLIM AND CROAT RESIDENTS. END
SUMMARY.
2. (U) POLOFFS, REFCOORD, AND DART VISITED BIHAC AUGUST
11 TO ASSESS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND DISCUSS
POLITICAL/MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WAKE OF THE GOC
OFFENSIVE TO RETAKE "RSK" TERRITORY.
-------------- --
UNPROFOR VIEWS ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION...
-------------- --
3. (C) POLOFFS MET WITH THE DANISH UN COMMANDER, COL.
JASPER HELSOE (PROTECT),AND CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICER RUS
BALLANTYNE (PROTECT) AT BANBAT HQ IN CORALICI. THEY
COMPLAINED THAT THE UN SAFE AREA POLICY WAS GROSSLY
INADEQUATE IN THE CASE OF BIHAC, WHERE ONLY THE TOWN WAS
PROTECTED, BUT THE ENTIRE POCKET WAS IN RANGE OF SERB
GUNS. THEY NOTED THAT THE POWER STATION AND WATER
TREATMENT PLANT ARE BOTH OUTSIDE OF THE SAFE AREA AND WERE
FREQUENTLY TARGETED
4. (U) BOTH STRESSED THAT IT WAS ALL THEY COULD DO TO
MANAGE THE VARIOUS FLOWS OF DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE
CANTON THAT HAVE OCCURRED ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY OVER THE
LAST FOUR YEAR. THE SMALL SIZE OF THE BIHAC POCKET MEANT
THAT ANY TIME SHELLING STARTED, LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE
WOULD FLEE, USUALLY TO BIHAC TOWN, SEVERELY TAXING LIMITED
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 03082 01 OF 04 121603Z
SERVICES AND SUPPLIES. THEY ESTIMATED THAT 20 PERCENT OF
THE AREA'S POPULATION FLED FROM ABDIC CONTROLLED TERRITORY
TOWARD THE SOUTH. ABDIC'S "REPUBLIC OF WESTERN BOSNIA"
ALSO CONTAINED ABOUT 20 PERCENT OF THE AVAILABLE FARM
LAND. AS A RESULT, LOCAL AUTHORITIES WERE FORCED TO FEED
MORE PEOPLE FROM LESS LAND. THIS PROBLEM, COUPLED WITH
THE INABILITY OF AID CONVOYS TO REACH THE POCKET, HAS
CREATED A CONTINUING PROBLEM FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS TRYING TO
SUSTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. PRODUCE WAS OFTEN
CONSUMED BEFORE THE HARVEST AND LITTLE WAS RESERVED TO
PROVIDE SEEDS FOR THE NEXT PLANTING.
5. (U) THERE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 40,000 DP'S IN THE BIHAC
POCKET, AND PROBABLY BETWEEN 15-20,000 REFUGEES LOYAL TO
FIKRET ABDIC (AND POSSIBLY ALSO INCLUDING "RSK" SERBS) ON
THE ROAD NEAR THE VILLAGE OF KRSTINJA IN CROATIA. HELSOE
HAD BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AT OBTAINING CLEARANCE FROM THE GOC
TO VISIT THESE PEOPLE THE DAY BEFORE (SIMILAR PROBLEMS
WITH ACCESS HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY UNHCR AND ICRC, SEPTEL).
HELSOE SAID HE NEEDED BOTH ACCESS TO THE REFUGEES FROM THE
GOC AND ASSURANCES FROM THE GOBH THAT THESE MEN WOULD BE
COVERED BY THE AMNESTY SHOULD THEY WISH TO RETURN HOME TO
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNNPTQ4983
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ4983
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 03082 02 OF 04 121603Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 SRPP-00
EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-06 L-01
ADS-00 M-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01 PM-00
PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-01
TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-01 PMB-00 PRME-01
PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /030W
-------------- E2BE5A 121603Z /38
O 121538Z AUG 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6885
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
CINCUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//J3/J4/J5/POLAD//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XOX/IN/POLAD//
DIA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
AMCONSUL MUNICH
USLO SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
COMSIXTHFLT //N2//
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5/ECPOLAD//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 03082 02 OF 04 121603Z
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 ZAGREB 003082
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: 8/12/00
TAGS:
SUBJECT: BIHAC SIEGE LIFTED, ATTENTION TURNING TO
ASSISTANCE NEEDS, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, NEXT
MILITARY MOVES
VELIKA KLADUSA. THE UN NEEDS TO HELP ESTABLISH THE
CREDIBILITY OF THE GOBH WITH REFUGEES WHO ARE SCARED OF
RETRIBUTION. THERE ARE RUMORS AMONG THE REFUGEES THAT 100
ABDIC FOLLOWERS ARE STILL IN JAIL IN BIHAC FROM LAST YEAR,
WHEN THE GOBH OFFERED AN AMNESTY (NOTE: CANTON OFFICIALS
CONFIRMED TO US THAT THERE ARE SOME ABDIC FOLLOWERS STILL
IN JAIL UNDER WAR CRIMES CHARGES.) THE UN WOULD LIKE GOBH
OFFICIALS, POSSIBLY AT THE MINISTERIAL LEVEL, TO TALK TO
THE REFUGEES AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME BACK.
6. (U) WE HEARD FROM BOTH THE UN AND CANTON OFFICIALS
THAT A DEAL FOR RETURNING THE ABDIC REFUGEES TO VELIKA
KLADUSA HAD BEEN SIGNED BY THE GOC, GOBH, ABDIC, AND
REFUGEE REPRESENTATIVES, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 11. IN AN
ASIDE, GOBH OFFICIALS OPINED THAT ABDIC MUST BE IN CROATIA
IF HE HAD SIGNED THE AGREEMENT. (NOTE: WHEN ATTEMPTING TO
PASS THROUGH THE REFUGEES ON OUR RETURN FROM BIHAC WE WERE
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 03082 02 OF 04 121603Z
TOLD BY PEOPLE ON THE ROAD THAT ABDIC WAS PERSONALLY
LEADING THE COLUMN. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET TO THE HEAD
OF THE COLUMN TO TRY TO FIND ABDIC BECAUSE REFUGEES WERE
BLOCKING THE ROAD AND WE HAD TO FIND AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.)
--------------
AND THE NEXT MILITARY MOVES
--------------
7. (C) UN OFFICIALS IN CORALICI NOTED THAT AS A RESULT OF
THE HV DEFEAT OF THE "ARSK," THE PRESSURE ON BIHAC'S
NORTHERN BORDER WAS RELIEVED AND V CORPS COULD REDIRECT
ABOUT 10-12,000 TROOPS TO THE FRONT LINE WITH THE BSA.
ACCORDING TO THE UN, V CORPS NOW HAS A "LIFETIME" SUPPLY
OF AMMUNITION (BALLANTYNE NOTED THAT ON ONE OCCASION HE
SAW TEN 10 TON TRUCKS MOVING SOUTH CARRYING AMMO AND
WEAPONS FOR V CORPS),AT LEAST FOUR TANKS, APC'S, AND
ARTILLERY TAKEN FROM ABDIC'S "REPUBLIC OF WESTERN BOSNIA."
V CORPS IS EXPECTED TO MOVE SOUTH AND EAST AND EXPECTS TO
TAKE PRIJEDOR. THE UN CITED RUMORS THAT THE HVO AND V
CORPS HAVE ALREADY LINKED UP AT KULEN VAKUF, ABOUT 30
KILOMETERS SOUTHEAST OF BIHAC ON THE CROATIAN BORDER.
--------------
CANTON GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES - AID NEEDS
--------------
8. (U) IN BIHAC TOWN, THE DELEGATION MET WITH CANTON
GOVERNOR VELADZIC, PRESIDENT OF THE CANTON GOVERNMENT
FERIZOVIC, AND CANTON PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ADEM BORIC.
ALL THREE WERE EUPHORIC THAT THE CANTON HAD FINALLY BEEN
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 03082 02 OF 04 121603Z
LIBERATED FROM SERBIAN ENCIRCLEMENT. ONLY ONE FRONT
REMAINED INSTEAD OF FOUR, FERIZOVIC OFTEN REPEATED. EVEN
SO, ALL AREAS OF THE CANTON STILL REMAINED WITHIN REACH OF
BSA HEAVY WEAPONS. BIHAC SAFE AREA WAS SHELLED REGULARLY,
RECEIVING 6 SHELLS LATE ON AUGUST 9. THE GOVERNOR
OUTLINED A LONG WISH LIST OF ITEMS THAT THE AREA
DESPERATELY NEEDED. HE WAS CRITICAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY'S LACK OF IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THE CHANGING
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION. FIVE DAYS AFTER ITS LIBERATION,
ONLY A "SYMBOLIC QUANTITY" OF ASSISTANCE HAD ARRIVED
DESPITE OPEN ROADS FROM CROATIA, VELADZIC INSISTED.
(NOTE: THE QUICKEST ROUTE FROM ZAGREB TO VELIKA KLADUSA,
THROUGH VOJNIC, WAS BLOCKED IN CROATIA ON AUGUST 11 BY
FLEEING COLUMNS OF REFUGEES LOYAL TO OPPORTUNISTIC MUSLIM
LEADER FIKRET ABDIC. SEE SEPTEL. END NOTE.)
9. (U) ONLY ONE CONVOY HAD ARRIVED IN THE AREA FOR 13
MONTHS, FERIZOVIC STATED THE POCKET'S POPULATION HAD
BEEN CUT OFF FOR FOUR YEARS AND EVERYONE INSIDE, EITHER IN
THEIR OWN HOME OR DISPLACED, SUFFERED EQUALLY. VELADZIC'S
WISH LIST FOLLOWS IN HIS ORDER OF NECESSITY:
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 SRPP-00
EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-06 L-01
ADS-00 M-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01 PM-00
PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-01
TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-01 PMB-00 PRME-01
PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /030W
-------------- E2BE60 121604Z /38
O 121538Z AUG 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6886
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
CINCUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//J3/J4/J5/POLAD//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XOX/IN/POLAD//
DIA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
AMCONSUL MUNICH
USLO SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
COMSIXTHFLT //N2//
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5/ECPOLAD//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 03082 03 OF 04 121603Z
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 ZAGREB 003082
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: 8/12/00
TAGS:
SUBJECT: BIHAC SIEGE LIFTED, ATTENTION TURNING TO
ASSISTANCE NEEDS, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, NEXT
MILITARY MOVES
-- IMMEDIATE NEEDS WERE FOOD, SHOES, AND CLOTHING,
ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN;
-- MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, VETERINARY
SU
PPLIES, RESERVE PARTS FOR HOSPITAL MACHINES;
-- SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND BOOKS;
-- SHELTER MATERIALS FOR IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM
HOUSING;
-- IMPROVEMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL PLANTS DESTROYED BY
SHELLING;
-- IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNAL SERVICES SUCH AS WATER,
ELECTRICITY, TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS,
CONFIDENTIAL
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 03082 03 OF 04 121603Z
AND GARBAGE DISPOSAL;
-- BUSES AND TRUCKS TO BE USED FOR INTER-MUNICIPAL
PUBLIC TRANSPORT;
10. (U) VELADZIC BELIEVED THAT THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY
NOW EXISTED TO START UP "REAL" LIFE AGAIN. THE ENCLAVE
WANTED TO STOP ITS DEPENDENCY ON HUMANITARIAN HELP AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE. HE URGED THAT ASSISTANCE BE DIRECTED TOWARDS
RESTARTING INDUSTRIES AND ALLOWING PEOPLE TO EARN A
LIVELIHOOD, SO THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE DEPENDENT ON AID.
--------------
POLITICAL SITUATION IN BIHAC AND CAZIN
--------------
11. (U) CANTON PRESIDENT FERIZOVIC STRESSED THAT,
ALTHOUGH NINETY PERCENT MUSLIM, THE CANTON WELCOMED ALL
NATIONALITIES. HE STRESSED THAT A GENERAL AMNESTY WOULD
BE GRANTED FOR EVERYONE WHO FOUGHT AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT,
BUT WAR CRIMINALS (PARTICULARLY ABDIC) WOULD BE PURSUED.
FERIZOVIC SAID THAT THERE IS EXTREMELY GOOD COOPERATION
WITH THE CROATIAN POPULATION WHICH COULD BE AN EXAMPLE FOR
THE REST OF BOSNIA. (THIS POINT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER BY
BALLANTYNE, WHO NOTED THERE IS AN HVO BRIGADE WITH V
CORPS.) IT WAS PROUDLY NOTED THAT THE CANTONAL GOVERNMENT
WAS FORMED IN 15 DAYS AFTER THE MAY 27 MEETING OF THE
LOCAL PARLIAMENT. LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTERS COME FROM
BOTH THE DOMINANT MUSLIM SDA AND ALSO THE CROAT HDZ.
12. (U) FERIZOVIC SAID THAT AT LEAST IN BIHAC, THE
CONFIDENTIAL
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 03082 03 OF 04 121603Z
FEDERATION AND REPUBLIC GOVERNMENTS ARE FULLY INTEGRATED.
THE CANTONAL AUTHORITIES ARE MOVING TO ESTABLISH BORDER
CONTROLS AND ARE PURSUING CONTACTS WITH THE GOC ON ISSUES
SUCH AS ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION AND MAIL.
--------------
VILLAGE SCENES
--------------
13. (U) DURING OUR DRIVE THROUGH THE POCKET WE SAW LIFE
RETURNING TO SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMALITY. A NUMBER OF
PEOPLE WERE OUT AND ABOUT EVEN IN THE TOWNS, SUNBATHING,
AND PLAYING IN THE RIVERS. THE BIHAC AUTHORITIES AND V
CORPS ESCORT SHOWED US OUTLYING VILLAGES DESTROYED BY THE
"ARSK." IN ZAVALJE, A CROATIAN VILLAGE, ONE OLD WOMAN HAD
RETURNED THAT SAME DAY TO CHECK ON HER PROPERTY. IT HAD
BEEN LIBERATED ONLY DAYS BEFORE. IN THE MUSLIM VILLAGE OF
SOKOLAC, LIBERATED BY THE ABH A FEW MONTHS BEFORE, WE MET
AN ELDERLY MAN WHO RETURNED TO HIS BURNED OUT HOUSE AND
PROPERTY EVERY SO OFTEN TO FIX SMALL DETAILS IN HIS HOUSE
AND TO CUT HIS LAWN.
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNNPTQ4985
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ4985
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 03082 04 OF 04 121604Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 SRPP-00
EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-06 L-01
ADS-00 M-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01 PM-00
PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-01
TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-01 PMB-00 PRME-01
PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /030W
-------------- E2BE65 121604Z /38
O 121538Z AUG 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6887
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
CINCUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//J3/J4/J5/POLAD//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XOX/IN/POLAD//
DIA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
AMCONSUL MUNICH
USLO SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
COMSIXTHFLT //N2//
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5/ECPOLAD//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 03082 04 OF 04 121604Z
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 ZAGREB 003082
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: 8/12/00
TAGS:
SUBJECT: BIHAC SIEGE LIFTED, ATTENTION TURNING TO
ASSISTANCE NEEDS, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, NEXT
MILITARY MOVES
14. SARAJEVO MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.
FINN
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
SIPDIS
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ZAGREB 003082
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: 8/12/00
TAGS:
SUBJECT: BIHAC SIEGE LIFTED, ATTENTION TURNING TO
ASSISTANCE NEEDS, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, NEXT
MILITARY MOVES
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) POLOFFS, REFCOORD, AND DART VISITED BIHAC AUGUST
11 TO ASSESS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND DISCUSS
POLITICAL/MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WAKE OF THE GOC
OFFENSIVE TO RETAKE "RSK" TERRITORY. UN OFFICIALS
COMPLAINED ABOUT THE INADEQUACY OF UN SAFE AREA POLICY
WHICH ONLY PROTECTS BIHAC TOWN, WHILE THE ENTIRE POCKET IS
IN RANGE OF SERB GUNS. THEY DISCUSSED THE REFUGEE AND
DISPLACED PERSON PROBLEM; CURRENTLY THERE ARE ABOUT 40,000
DP'S IN THE BIHAC POCKET, AND PROBABLY BETWEEN 15-20,000
REFUGEES LOYAL TO FIKRET ABDIC (AND POSSIBLY ALSO
INCLUDING "RSK" SERBS) ON THE ROAD NEAR THE VILLAGE OF
KRSTINJA IN CROATIA. THE UN ASSESSES THAT A FULLY ARMED V
CORPS WILL BE ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAIN IN ONE TO TWO WEEKS
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 03082 01 OF 04 121603Z
TO SECURE THE ENTIRE UNA-SANSKI CANTON. MEANWHILE, LOCAL
OFFICIALS PROVIDED US WITH A SHOPPING LIST OF REQUIREMENTS
FOR REBUILDING LIFE IN THE CANTON AND DISCUSSED THE GOOD
RELATIONS BETWEEN MUSLIM AND CROAT RESIDENTS. END
SUMMARY.
2. (U) POLOFFS, REFCOORD, AND DART VISITED BIHAC AUGUST
11 TO ASSESS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND DISCUSS
POLITICAL/MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WAKE OF THE GOC
OFFENSIVE TO RETAKE "RSK" TERRITORY.
-------------- --
UNPROFOR VIEWS ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION...
-------------- --
3. (C) POLOFFS MET WITH THE DANISH UN COMMANDER, COL.
JASPER HELSOE (PROTECT),AND CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICER RUS
BALLANTYNE (PROTECT) AT BANBAT HQ IN CORALICI. THEY
COMPLAINED THAT THE UN SAFE AREA POLICY WAS GROSSLY
INADEQUATE IN THE CASE OF BIHAC, WHERE ONLY THE TOWN WAS
PROTECTED, BUT THE ENTIRE POCKET WAS IN RANGE OF SERB
GUNS. THEY NOTED THAT THE POWER STATION AND WATER
TREATMENT PLANT ARE BOTH OUTSIDE OF THE SAFE AREA AND WERE
FREQUENTLY TARGETED
4. (U) BOTH STRESSED THAT IT WAS ALL THEY COULD DO TO
MANAGE THE VARIOUS FLOWS OF DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE
CANTON THAT HAVE OCCURRED ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY OVER THE
LAST FOUR YEAR. THE SMALL SIZE OF THE BIHAC POCKET MEANT
THAT ANY TIME SHELLING STARTED, LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE
WOULD FLEE, USUALLY TO BIHAC TOWN, SEVERELY TAXING LIMITED
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 03082 01 OF 04 121603Z
SERVICES AND SUPPLIES. THEY ESTIMATED THAT 20 PERCENT OF
THE AREA'S POPULATION FLED FROM ABDIC CONTROLLED TERRITORY
TOWARD THE SOUTH. ABDIC'S "REPUBLIC OF WESTERN BOSNIA"
ALSO CONTAINED ABOUT 20 PERCENT OF THE AVAILABLE FARM
LAND. AS A RESULT, LOCAL AUTHORITIES WERE FORCED TO FEED
MORE PEOPLE FROM LESS LAND. THIS PROBLEM, COUPLED WITH
THE INABILITY OF AID CONVOYS TO REACH THE POCKET, HAS
CREATED A CONTINUING PROBLEM FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS TRYING TO
SUSTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. PRODUCE WAS OFTEN
CONSUMED BEFORE THE HARVEST AND LITTLE WAS RESERVED TO
PROVIDE SEEDS FOR THE NEXT PLANTING.
5. (U) THERE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 40,000 DP'S IN THE BIHAC
POCKET, AND PROBABLY BETWEEN 15-20,000 REFUGEES LOYAL TO
FIKRET ABDIC (AND POSSIBLY ALSO INCLUDING "RSK" SERBS) ON
THE ROAD NEAR THE VILLAGE OF KRSTINJA IN CROATIA. HELSOE
HAD BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AT OBTAINING CLEARANCE FROM THE GOC
TO VISIT THESE PEOPLE THE DAY BEFORE (SIMILAR PROBLEMS
WITH ACCESS HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY UNHCR AND ICRC, SEPTEL).
HELSOE SAID HE NEEDED BOTH ACCESS TO THE REFUGEES FROM THE
GOC AND ASSURANCES FROM THE GOBH THAT THESE MEN WOULD BE
COVERED BY THE AMNESTY SHOULD THEY WISH TO RETURN HOME TO
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNNPTQ4983
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ4983
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 03082 02 OF 04 121603Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 SRPP-00
EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-06 L-01
ADS-00 M-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01 PM-00
PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-01
TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-01 PMB-00 PRME-01
PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /030W
-------------- E2BE5A 121603Z /38
O 121538Z AUG 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6885
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
CINCUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//J3/J4/J5/POLAD//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XOX/IN/POLAD//
DIA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
AMCONSUL MUNICH
USLO SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
COMSIXTHFLT //N2//
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5/ECPOLAD//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
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SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: 8/12/00
TAGS:
SUBJECT: BIHAC SIEGE LIFTED, ATTENTION TURNING TO
ASSISTANCE NEEDS, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, NEXT
MILITARY MOVES
VELIKA KLADUSA. THE UN NEEDS TO HELP ESTABLISH THE
CREDIBILITY OF THE GOBH WITH REFUGEES WHO ARE SCARED OF
RETRIBUTION. THERE ARE RUMORS AMONG THE REFUGEES THAT 100
ABDIC FOLLOWERS ARE STILL IN JAIL IN BIHAC FROM LAST YEAR,
WHEN THE GOBH OFFERED AN AMNESTY (NOTE: CANTON OFFICIALS
CONFIRMED TO US THAT THERE ARE SOME ABDIC FOLLOWERS STILL
IN JAIL UNDER WAR CRIMES CHARGES.) THE UN WOULD LIKE GOBH
OFFICIALS, POSSIBLY AT THE MINISTERIAL LEVEL, TO TALK TO
THE REFUGEES AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME BACK.
6. (U) WE HEARD FROM BOTH THE UN AND CANTON OFFICIALS
THAT A DEAL FOR RETURNING THE ABDIC REFUGEES TO VELIKA
KLADUSA HAD BEEN SIGNED BY THE GOC, GOBH, ABDIC, AND
REFUGEE REPRESENTATIVES, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 11. IN AN
ASIDE, GOBH OFFICIALS OPINED THAT ABDIC MUST BE IN CROATIA
IF HE HAD SIGNED THE AGREEMENT. (NOTE: WHEN ATTEMPTING TO
PASS THROUGH THE REFUGEES ON OUR RETURN FROM BIHAC WE WERE
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TOLD BY PEOPLE ON THE ROAD THAT ABDIC WAS PERSONALLY
LEADING THE COLUMN. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET TO THE HEAD
OF THE COLUMN TO TRY TO FIND ABDIC BECAUSE REFUGEES WERE
BLOCKING THE ROAD AND WE HAD TO FIND AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.)
--------------
AND THE NEXT MILITARY MOVES
--------------
7. (C) UN OFFICIALS IN CORALICI NOTED THAT AS A RESULT OF
THE HV DEFEAT OF THE "ARSK," THE PRESSURE ON BIHAC'S
NORTHERN BORDER WAS RELIEVED AND V CORPS COULD REDIRECT
ABOUT 10-12,000 TROOPS TO THE FRONT LINE WITH THE BSA.
ACCORDING TO THE UN, V CORPS NOW HAS A "LIFETIME" SUPPLY
OF AMMUNITION (BALLANTYNE NOTED THAT ON ONE OCCASION HE
SAW TEN 10 TON TRUCKS MOVING SOUTH CARRYING AMMO AND
WEAPONS FOR V CORPS),AT LEAST FOUR TANKS, APC'S, AND
ARTILLERY TAKEN FROM ABDIC'S "REPUBLIC OF WESTERN BOSNIA."
V CORPS IS EXPECTED TO MOVE SOUTH AND EAST AND EXPECTS TO
TAKE PRIJEDOR. THE UN CITED RUMORS THAT THE HVO AND V
CORPS HAVE ALREADY LINKED UP AT KULEN VAKUF, ABOUT 30
KILOMETERS SOUTHEAST OF BIHAC ON THE CROATIAN BORDER.
--------------
CANTON GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES - AID NEEDS
--------------
8. (U) IN BIHAC TOWN, THE DELEGATION MET WITH CANTON
GOVERNOR VELADZIC, PRESIDENT OF THE CANTON GOVERNMENT
FERIZOVIC, AND CANTON PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ADEM BORIC.
ALL THREE WERE EUPHORIC THAT THE CANTON HAD FINALLY BEEN
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LIBERATED FROM SERBIAN ENCIRCLEMENT. ONLY ONE FRONT
REMAINED INSTEAD OF FOUR, FERIZOVIC OFTEN REPEATED. EVEN
SO, ALL AREAS OF THE CANTON STILL REMAINED WITHIN REACH OF
BSA HEAVY WEAPONS. BIHAC SAFE AREA WAS SHELLED REGULARLY,
RECEIVING 6 SHELLS LATE ON AUGUST 9. THE GOVERNOR
OUTLINED A LONG WISH LIST OF ITEMS THAT THE AREA
DESPERATELY NEEDED. HE WAS CRITICAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY'S LACK OF IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THE CHANGING
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION. FIVE DAYS AFTER ITS LIBERATION,
ONLY A "SYMBOLIC QUANTITY" OF ASSISTANCE HAD ARRIVED
DESPITE OPEN ROADS FROM CROATIA, VELADZIC INSISTED.
(NOTE: THE QUICKEST ROUTE FROM ZAGREB TO VELIKA KLADUSA,
THROUGH VOJNIC, WAS BLOCKED IN CROATIA ON AUGUST 11 BY
FLEEING COLUMNS OF REFUGEES LOYAL TO OPPORTUNISTIC MUSLIM
LEADER FIKRET ABDIC. SEE SEPTEL. END NOTE.)
9. (U) ONLY ONE CONVOY HAD ARRIVED IN THE AREA FOR 13
MONTHS, FERIZOVIC STATED THE POCKET'S POPULATION HAD
BEEN CUT OFF FOR FOUR YEARS AND EVERYONE INSIDE, EITHER IN
THEIR OWN HOME OR DISPLACED, SUFFERED EQUALLY. VELADZIC'S
WISH LIST FOLLOWS IN HIS ORDER OF NECESSITY:
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 SRPP-00
EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-06 L-01
ADS-00 M-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01 PM-00
PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-01
TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-01 PMB-00 PRME-01
PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /030W
-------------- E2BE60 121604Z /38
O 121538Z AUG 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6886
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
CINCUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//J3/J4/J5/POLAD//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XOX/IN/POLAD//
DIA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
AMCONSUL MUNICH
USLO SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
COMSIXTHFLT //N2//
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5/ECPOLAD//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
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SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 ZAGREB 003082
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: 8/12/00
TAGS:
SUBJECT: BIHAC SIEGE LIFTED, ATTENTION TURNING TO
ASSISTANCE NEEDS, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, NEXT
MILITARY MOVES
-- IMMEDIATE NEEDS WERE FOOD, SHOES, AND CLOTHING,
ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN;
-- MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, VETERINARY
SU
PPLIES, RESERVE PARTS FOR HOSPITAL MACHINES;
-- SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND BOOKS;
-- SHELTER MATERIALS FOR IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM
HOUSING;
-- IMPROVEMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL PLANTS DESTROYED BY
SHELLING;
-- IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNAL SERVICES SUCH AS WATER,
ELECTRICITY, TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS,
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AND GARBAGE DISPOSAL;
-- BUSES AND TRUCKS TO BE USED FOR INTER-MUNICIPAL
PUBLIC TRANSPORT;
10. (U) VELADZIC BELIEVED THAT THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY
NOW EXISTED TO START UP "REAL" LIFE AGAIN. THE ENCLAVE
WANTED TO STOP ITS DEPENDENCY ON HUMANITARIAN HELP AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE. HE URGED THAT ASSISTANCE BE DIRECTED TOWARDS
RESTARTING INDUSTRIES AND ALLOWING PEOPLE TO EARN A
LIVELIHOOD, SO THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE DEPENDENT ON AID.
--------------
POLITICAL SITUATION IN BIHAC AND CAZIN
--------------
11. (U) CANTON PRESIDENT FERIZOVIC STRESSED THAT,
ALTHOUGH NINETY PERCENT MUSLIM, THE CANTON WELCOMED ALL
NATIONALITIES. HE STRESSED THAT A GENERAL AMNESTY WOULD
BE GRANTED FOR EVERYONE WHO FOUGHT AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT,
BUT WAR CRIMINALS (PARTICULARLY ABDIC) WOULD BE PURSUED.
FERIZOVIC SAID THAT THERE IS EXTREMELY GOOD COOPERATION
WITH THE CROATIAN POPULATION WHICH COULD BE AN EXAMPLE FOR
THE REST OF BOSNIA. (THIS POINT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER BY
BALLANTYNE, WHO NOTED THERE IS AN HVO BRIGADE WITH V
CORPS.) IT WAS PROUDLY NOTED THAT THE CANTONAL GOVERNMENT
WAS FORMED IN 15 DAYS AFTER THE MAY 27 MEETING OF THE
LOCAL PARLIAMENT. LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTERS COME FROM
BOTH THE DOMINANT MUSLIM SDA AND ALSO THE CROAT HDZ.
12. (U) FERIZOVIC SAID THAT AT LEAST IN BIHAC, THE
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FEDERATION AND REPUBLIC GOVERNMENTS ARE FULLY INTEGRATED.
THE CANTONAL AUTHORITIES ARE MOVING TO ESTABLISH BORDER
CONTROLS AND ARE PURSUING CONTACTS WITH THE GOC ON ISSUES
SUCH AS ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION AND MAIL.
--------------
VILLAGE SCENES
--------------
13. (U) DURING OUR DRIVE THROUGH THE POCKET WE SAW LIFE
RETURNING TO SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMALITY. A NUMBER OF
PEOPLE WERE OUT AND ABOUT EVEN IN THE TOWNS, SUNBATHING,
AND PLAYING IN THE RIVERS. THE BIHAC AUTHORITIES AND V
CORPS ESCORT SHOWED US OUTLYING VILLAGES DESTROYED BY THE
"ARSK." IN ZAVALJE, A CROATIAN VILLAGE, ONE OLD WOMAN HAD
RETURNED THAT SAME DAY TO CHECK ON HER PROPERTY. IT HAD
BEEN LIBERATED ONLY DAYS BEFORE. IN THE MUSLIM VILLAGE OF
SOKOLAC, LIBERATED BY THE ABH A FEW MONTHS BEFORE, WE MET
AN ELDERLY MAN WHO RETURNED TO HIS BURNED OUT HOUSE AND
PROPERTY EVERY SO OFTEN TO FIX SMALL DETAILS IN HIS HOUSE
AND TO CUT HIS LAWN.
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 SRPP-00
EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-06 L-01
ADS-00 M-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01 PM-00
PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-01
TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-01 PMB-00 PRME-01
PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /030W
-------------- E2BE65 121604Z /38
O 121538Z AUG 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6887
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
CINCUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//J3/J4/J5/POLAD//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XOX/IN/POLAD//
DIA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
AMCONSUL MUNICH
USLO SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
COMSIXTHFLT //N2//
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5/ECPOLAD//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
CONFIDENTIAL
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 03082 04 OF 04 121604Z
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 ZAGREB 003082
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: 8/12/00
TAGS:
SUBJECT: BIHAC SIEGE LIFTED, ATTENTION TURNING TO
ASSISTANCE NEEDS, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, NEXT
MILITARY MOVES
14. SARAJEVO MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.
FINN
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